Media Release
May 11 2007
Prescription for patient safety
Mistakes
happen everywhere, but when they happen in a healthcare setting they can
be disastrous. That’s why a prescription for improved patient safety is
now on the national agenda.
“This is a major issue right now with the aging population, increased demands on the healthcare system and a chronic shortage of doctors,” explains Dr Matthew Thomas, Director of UniSA’s Human Factors and Safety Management program.
“Improving safety and not putting the public at risk is about having the right systems in place to reduce errors and uncover hidden threats before its too late.”
Some statistics suggest up to 10 per cent of people admitted to hospital are subjected to a preventable adverse event – the majority of which can be attributed to human error. And while many studies are still in the early stages, experts agree changes need to be made now to protect the public. To this end, the Human Factors and Safety Management group will be hosting an international Patient Safety Seminar on May 24th.
“By bringing key stakeholders, health care workers and error management experts together we can focus on the clinical standards, work practices and protocols that need to be developed and adapted to reduce, better detect and better manage errors and enhance patient safety outcomes,” Dr Thomas says.
“At the end of the day, one person dying because of a preventable adverse event, is one too many.”
The Human Factors and Safety Management group at UniSA is host to one of Australia’s leading postgraduate education and industry-based research programs. It works collaboratively with a wide range of high-risk industries including healthcare, aviation and rail.
Patient safety seminar
When: Thursday, 24th May 9am-5pm
Where: UniSA City East Campus, Playford Building, Level 7, Room 27
Contact for interview
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Dr Matthew Thomas mobile 0438 808 808 email matthew.thomas@unisa.edu.au
Media contact
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Suzie Coldwell mobile 08 8302 6624 email susan.coldwell@unisa.edu.au